The Upper Peninsula police department is asking the public for assistance in locating a 48‑year‑old man who disappeared on the evening of February 15 while fishing near the shoreline of Lake Michigan in the Manistique area.
Background
According to the Manistique Police Department, the missing individual was last seen at approximately 10:30 p.m. after leaving a local bait shop with a small tackle box and a handheld GPS device. He was reported missing by his wife when he failed to return home the following morning. Friends and family say he was an experienced outdoorsman with no history of mental health concerns or recent disputes. Search teams from the Michigan State Police and local volunteer groups combed the shoreline and surrounding woods for three days, but no definitive trace was found.
The Investigation
The investigation is being led by the Manistique Police Department in coordination with the Michigan State Police’s Missing Persons Unit. Detectives have canvassed nearby residences, reviewed surveillance footage from nearby businesses, and examined cell‑tower pings to establish the man's movements after he left the bait shop. Authorities have not ruled out the possibility of an accident, such as falling into the water, but they are also considering foul play after a local fisherman reported seeing an unfamiliar vehicle parked near the dock around the same time. The case remains open, and detectives are urging anyone who saw the missing man, the unusual vehicle, or who has information about his whereabouts to call the tip line at 1‑800‑555‑HELP.
Key Takeaways
- 48‑year‑old man vanished near Manistique on Feb. 15 after a late‑night fishing outing.
- No personal belongings, except a tackle box and GPS, were recovered at the scene.
- Search efforts by Michigan State Police, local volunteers, and the U.S. Coast Guard have been ongoing for more than a week.
- Police are requesting tips about an unfamiliar vehicle observed near the dock on the night of the disappearance.
What's Next
Detectives will continue to analyze cell‑tower data and will expand the search to include underwater sonar sweeps of the lakebed. A press conference is scheduled for Feb. 28, during which investigators will provide an update on search efforts and any new leads. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Manistique Police Department tip line or submit an anonymous tip through the Michigan State Police website.